The Case of the Paper Wall

Inspector Hale: eighty-five percent of growing jobs demand a credential, and McKinsey's own partners call it the most common hurdle for the eleven million who must change occupations. The Ledger: thirty-eight percent by law, forty-seven percent employer preference; a degree, a certificate, a title, convention, not safety. Wren: so the wall is mostly habit. Nightjar: convention, not law, easier to change. Wren: tell the administrative assistant who already does fifty-eight percent of a project manager's job.

The most common hurdle for the 11 million Americans McKinsey says must change occupations is paperwork: credentials are required in 85% of growing jobs, and while 38% of those are set by law, 47% are only employer preferences for a degree, certificate or title, a hiring convention the firm's partners say is easier to change than a law; an administrative assistant already does about 58% of a project manager's work, but the postings want a bachelor's degree and a certification.

Starring

Inspector HaleWrenThe LedgerNightjar